FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Waste Segregation at Source Policy
The Waste Segregation at Source Policy is an initiative introduced by the Penang state government to encourage waste segregation at the source (point of generation) by residents and businesses.
Waste is initially segregated into two categories: residual and recyclable.
Residual waste which cannot be recycled, is placed in a green bin and collected according to the contractor’s collection schedule. Recyclable waste such as plastic bottles, aluminum cans, paper, and tetra packs are placed in a bag and left beside the residual waste bin every Saturday for collection by the council’s (MBPP) contractor.
- Identify the types of recyclable waste.
- Clean the recyclable items.
- Place the recyclable waste beside the residual waste bin.
For landed properties, every Saturday by the Council / Council Contractor. For high-rise residential, industrial, commercial, and village areas, collection by management bodies (JMB), licensed recycling contractors, or self-managed recycling centers.
Aluminum cans, iron, metal, plastic bottles, plastic containers, plastic bags, food plastic containers, plastic buckets, glass, paper, newspapers, cardboard, magazines, books, and more.
Food waste such as fruit peels, vegetable skins, eggshells, rice, etc. Dirty waste includes disposable diapers, dirty tissues, contaminated materials, boxes, and paper.
Email: jpp@mbpp.gov.my
Phone: 04-263 3000
Email: eaduan@mbpp.gov.my
The policy was launched on June 1, 2016, by the former Chief Minister of Penang, Mr. Lim Guan Eng, at the entrance of KOMTAR, Penang.
The policy is part of the transformation efforts under the Clean, Green, Healthy, and Safe Penang Policy. It also aligns with Local Agenda 21, which aims to provide quality and friendly services for the well-being of residents.
The Trash to Treasure method encourages residents to segregate their waste and convert it into valuable resources.
The policy aims to encourage better waste segregation practices, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, and promote recycling. It also contributes to a cleaner, greener, healthier environment for Penang residents.
Penang residents can get involved by segregating their waste at home or work, sending recyclable waste to recycling centers, and supporting related initiatives organized by local authorities and the state government.
Penang residents can get involved by segregating their waste at home or work, sending recyclable waste to recycling centers, and supporting related initiatives organized by local authorities and the state government.
The state government has conducted visits and briefings to schools across Penang to educate and encourage students to practice waste segregation at the source. Students are seen as future leaders who will adopt this practice as a daily habit. Various programs under MBPP, including “Town Hall Sessions” on PSP, are being organized.
The school visits and briefings began on February 11, 2024, with a visit to SJK Yeok Hua Balik Pulau.
The visits and briefings involve various types of schools, including national schools, Chinese national-type schools, Tamil national-type schools, and national secondary schools.
Students can play a significant role by practicing waste segregation at home and school, encouraging friends and family to participate, and spreading awareness about the importance of waste segregation in the community.
The re-implementation is expected to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, increase recycling rates, and create a cleaner and healthier environment for current and future generations in Penang.
The general public can support these efforts by practicing waste segregation at home, work, and public places, encouraging others to do the same, and participating in awareness programs and activities organized by the state government and local authorities related to waste segregation and recycling.
The public can get more information through the official website of the Penang state government, the MBPP website, and the official social media of related agencies. They can also contact their respective local authority offices for inquiries or feedback.
MAMPAN Directory
Disclaimer: This information provided here is based on the latest updated data from PGC’s MAMPAN Directory. This database is updated frequently and can be found HERE.
Last update:3 July 2024
Category A: Uncommon Recyclable Materials
Only food and beverage (F&B) glass containers are acceptable by recyclers. You may look for these specific collection points/recycling centres as follows. More details are available HERE
- South Zest Sdn. Bhd
- Tzu Chi Sungai Nibong Environmental Protection Education Centre
- Tzu Chi Sungai Rambai Environmental Protection and Education Centre (Bukit Mertajam)
- Tzu Chi Tambun Indah (Simpang Ampat)
- Pusat Pengumpulan Kitar Semula Taman Kota Permai
- iCYCLE Penang SDN BHD
Yes. It contains 6 protective layers which consist of 75% paper, 20% plastic, and 5% aluminum. You may send it to appointed recyclers by Tetra Pak (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd as follows. More details are available HERE
Yes. Only Styrofoam in clean condition (e.g., packaging material) can be recycled. More details are available HERE
- Porlywing Asia (M) Sdn Bhd, Bkt Mertajam
- Tzu Chi Taman Lumba Kuda
- Tzu Chi Sungai Rambai (Bukit Mertajam)
- iCYCLE Penang SDN BHD
Category B: Reusable Materials
Good condition: Second-hand shops/ charity groups (KAWAN shop, The Salvation Army Penang Children’s Home, Eden Handicap Service Centre Berhad etc)
Bad condition: If they are made of materials that can be recycled, send them to a recycling centre.
You may send it to De Vince Optometrist
Category C: Food Waste
Mixed food waste (non-edible): Turn your food waste into compost, fertiliser, soil enhancer and etc. You can also send these organic waste to community composting site/ collection point:
- Pusat Sumber Alam Sekitar Taman Puteri Gunung
- Pusat Sumber Alam Sekitar SPU (Taman Bagan Lalang)
For Surplus food reduction programme (edible food), get in touch with Green Hero!
Only used cooking oil (but not engine oil) is collected by the following collectors/ collection points. The collected oil is then being processed and turn into biofuel. Please refer HERE for more details.
- Tzu Chi Tambun Indah (Simpang Ampat)
- Tzu Chi Sungai Rambai (Bukit Mertajam)
- Pusat Sumber Alam Sekitar SPU (Taman Bagan Lalang)
- Sustainable BioFuels Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Simpang Ampat
- Golden Oil Enterprise, Sg Bakap
- Fatbusta (Asia Pacific) Sdn Bhd, Simpang Ampat
Category D: Household E-Waste / Hazardous Waste (Scheduled Waste)
E-waste is listed as scheduled waste with the code SW110 under Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005, Environmental Quality Act 1974 because it exhibits the characteristics such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity.All these substances are affecting human health as well as damaging the environment. Therefore, it requires a proper disposal method and management. For the complete list of e-waste recyclers/ collectors, please refer HERE.
*SW103 – waste batteries that contain cadmium and nickel or mercury or lithium.
*SW109 – waste containing mercury or its compound
Currently, there is yet to have any regulation set up to regulate household hazardous waste in Malaysia. Penang has no treatment facilities to handle this schedule waste. Therefore, please make sure these waste are drop-off of at designated waste collection points set up by both local councils.
Island:
- Pusat Kitar Semula Taman Serena, Jelutong (5.40265,100.32676)
Near to Astaka Taman Serena - Stor JPP MBPP, Jalan Sungai (5.40588,100.32459)
Mainland:
- MAJLIS BANDARAYA SEBERANG PERAI, Menara Bandaraya, Jalan Perda Utama, Bandar Perda, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang.
- Pejabat Cawangan MBSP Jawi, 14200 Sungai Jawi, Pulau Pinang.
- Kompleks Mahkamah Municipal Seberang Perai, Jalan Kg. Jawa, Taman Jawa, 12000 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang
- Pejabat Cawangan MBSP Jalan Betek, Jalan Betek, Kawasan Perniagaan Sungai Rambai, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Please ensure these items are packed properly before disposal:
- Fluorescent tubes/ lamps (SW 109): Please pack it using its original packaging/ newspaper/ paper
- Batteries (SW 103): Use masking tape (or any tape) to stick and cover both positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of every battery to avoid contact of +/- terminals between batteries.
Category E: General Waste
The material consists of aluminium and plastic. However, it is not cost viable and practical to recycle it. Therefore, no recycling company is accepting this material. There are community groups that upcycling it into some handmade crafts/ products such as tumbler holder, basket, coin wallet and etc.
You may kick-start your own eco-brick by using this type of packaging material too. Learn more.
Category F: Garden Waste And Bulk Waste
Please contact:
- Jabatan Perkhidmatan Perbandaran MBPP (04-2633000)
- Jabatan Perkhidmatan Perbandaran MBSP (04-5497654)
- EURASIA EXPRESS SDN BHD/ Batu Maung Transfer Station (drop-off only) 04-2816510
*Information provided is only applicable for Penang State.
Penang Green Office
The ISO 14000 standard and the Penang Green Office certification share the same purpose which is to help organizations protect the environment, minimize pollution and to raise eco-consciousness in all aspects of the workplace.
ISO 14000 defines the scope of an organization’s Environmental Management System (EMS), identifies the environmental aspects associated with all operating conditions and situations and clarifies the legal and other requirements that apply to the organization’s environmental aspects.
The Penang Green Office certification assessment criteria’s main focus is on the office area and provides guidelines on practical actions and solutions on how to be “green”. These guidelines cover the 8 criteria mentioned (Purchasing Office Equipment & Stationery- Green Principles, Waste reduction & Recycling, Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Paper Usage Control, Printer, Photocopier, Fax & Cartridges Control, Indoor Air Quality Improvement & Employee and Community Engagement).
Thus, the difference is that ISO 14000 deals with standards, the Penang Green Office certification deals with actual actions and practical steps taken to be green.
Submissions should be sent for each separate office location.
- A certification plaque and certificate
- The right to use the Penang Green Office logo on company letterheads, correspondence, advertisements and other publicity materials
- Participation in the Penang Green Office Project Certificate Presentation Ceremony
- Participating organization name to be published in the PGC website
- Advertisement in Buletin Mutiara
The site audit will cover the main office area which is determined by the amount of headcount and space.
The auditors will have a copy of the answers that your office has submitted to PGC. During the site tour, the auditors will verify your compliance through both documentation and records.
